How should I cover my tattoo when I sleep?

I tend to scratch when I’m deeply asleep and won’t notice it and when I notice it I already scratched my tattoo and I’ve done this to my previous tattoo and it actually tore my tattoo and it was a bit noticable and this is my third tattoo and I don’t want it to tear. How should I cover my tattoo when i go to bed? With a paper towel around my shoulder? I know that tattoos do need air for the healing process. What should I do?
my tattoo is located on the shoulder.
I think I probably have to clip my nails on the left hand because then I won’t scratch. I can’t put a sock on b/c it’s summer and I’ll be sweating too much.
I do sleep with a large t-shirt but then it rises when I sleep. Even if I wear a long sleeve shirt I can still scratch but it won’t be directly to the skin.

Have you tryed sleeping in a tshirt??? i know it is summer but if you were a shirt over where the tattoo is you maynot sctarch as much… another thing you can try is sleeping with a glove on… i know it is summmer but i cant think of anyother ways

Well you could cover it with just a thin layer of gauze, but only for the night. That way its still getting air, but make sure it has a layer of A&D ointment before putting the gauze on.

OR

Go to Walmart and in the beauty section buy a pair of those cloth gloves you wear when your trying to lotion your hands. That would help you stop scratching and allow your tattoo to air out and heal properly.

Try a romper or shorts-jumpsuit type pajamas, so they won’t ride up. As long as it’s cotton, you should be cool.

I’d recommend covering the tattoo with sterile gauze, fastened on around the edges with surgical tape. You could use paper towels, but gauze allows more air flow and won’t tear like a paper towel might.. Do NOT use saran wrap or anything else that blocks air flow.

Do cut your nails as short as possible, and make sure your hands are very clean when you go to bed. Another person suggested cotton beauty gloves, which is a great idea. They’re not usually very warm, so you should stay comfortable even while wearing those.

i would recomend that you do not put any sourt of covering on it wile it is healing that is one of the worst things you can do during the healing process, a new tattoo needs to be able to breath i would just sleep with a shirt on and if that wont do then i would go talk to the person that did the tattoo for you your artist should know best.

i got my first tattoo tuesday, july 5th for my birthday, the tattooist imediately put plastic wrap on it with tape holding it, not to tight tho. then i apply A/D lotion on it untill i cant see the shine no more.DO NOT SLEEP WITH A BANDAGE ON, IT WILL BRING TOO MUCH OF THE INK UP. use plastic rap!